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He Who Has The Biggest Car Goes First…

Richard Hrvol of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, writes:

Marilyn: Regarding what you wrote about the four-way stop[ read article], this is what happens in the real world: The person with the biggest SUV always goes first. I think the drivers’ egos have a lot to do with it. Econoboxes like I drive have to go last.

The Worst Inventions Of All Time

Anonymous of Greencastle, Pa., writes:

Marilyn: I think the worst invention is the weed whacker [ read article]. It enables the males in the household to destroy everything in its path such as flowers, shrubs, young trees and evergreens. And they go down to the soil so they don’t have to do this again too soon, which means they wind up sending mulch and topsoil flying into space. I realize there’s a shield on the machine to prevent this from happening, but men remove it so they can get closer. I would like to whack the person who invented this thing.

What’s In A Nickname?

Brent Weathered of Poquoson, Va., writes:

Marilyn: Interesting answer about the nickname, but very obscure [ read article]. Is it just possible the young man’s name could have been Connor? As in Connor Stowe? You know, the store on the corner is always a 7-11!

Marilyn responds:

Brent: That’s just awful! Which is why I’m publishing it here, of course.

Bruce Clayton (city unknown) writes:

Marilyn: I think your answer about nicknames was just one possible answer. I spend so much time at the crap table that everyone calls me seven-eleven. And my basketball-playing friend Wilt is very tall. His nickname is seven-eleven. Another friend, Bill, works for a convenience store: 7-11!

Marilyn responds:

I think the question was intended to be a puzzle. So my answer was supposed to be Bruce, Wilt or Bill?!

How were accounts of Greek explorer Pytheas (circa 325 BC), first on record to describe the Midnight Sun, received upon his return from the Northern and Western reaches of Europe?

Answer: A. As total hogwash. Although Pytheas‚ accounts are now believed to be true, the notion of a place like Scandinavia seems to have been too much for his contemporaries to swallow.

He Who Has The Biggest Car Goes First…

Richard Hrvol of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, writes:

Marilyn: Regarding what you wrote about the four-way stop[ read article], this is what happens in the real world: The person with the biggest SUV always goes first. I think the drivers’ egos have a lot to do with it. Econoboxes like I drive have to go last.

The Worst Inventions Of All Time

Anonymous of Greencastle, Pa., writes:

Marilyn: I think the worst invention is the weed whacker [ read article]. It enables the males in the household to destroy everything in its path such as flowers, shrubs, young trees and evergreens. And they go down to the soil so they don’t have to do this again too soon, which means they wind up sending mulch and topsoil flying into space. I realize there’s a shield on the machine to prevent this from happening, but men remove it so they can get closer. I would like to whack the person who invented this thing.

What’s In A Nickname?

Brent Weathered of Poquoson, Va., writes:

Marilyn: Interesting answer about the nickname, but very obscure [ read article]. Is it just possible the young man’s name could have been Connor? As in Connor Stowe? You know, the store on the corner is always a 7-11!

Marilyn responds:

Brent: That’s just awful! Which is why I’m publishing it here, of course.

Bruce Clayton (city unknown) writes:

Marilyn: I think your answer about nicknames was just one possible answer. I spend so much time at the crap table that everyone calls me seven-eleven. And my basketball-playing friend Wilt is very tall. His nickname is seven-eleven. Another friend, Bill, works for a convenience store: 7-11!

Marilyn responds:

I think the question was intended to be a puzzle. So my answer was supposed to be Bruce, Wilt or Bill?!

How were accounts of Greek explorer Pytheas (circa 325 BC), first on record to describe the Midnight Sun, received upon his return from the Northern and Western reaches of Europe?